KANSAS CITY, Mo—Midwestern Seminary celebrated the October 1 release of Proclaiming the Triune God: The Doctrine of the Trinity in the Life of the Church by Professor of Christian Theology Matthew Barrett and graduates Ronni Kurtz, Samuel G. Parkison, and Joseph Lanier.
The book is adapted from seven sermons that the authors preached at Emmaus Church in North Kansas City, Missouri, in 2021 while serving together as pastors. Focusing on Scripture’s revelation of God’s triune nature and work in salvation, the book guides pastors in preaching the doctrine of the Trinity in their churches.
“Though every conservative, Bible believing Christian would boldly state that the Trinity is a fundamental doctrine of the faith, not many pastors today preach on the doctrine from the pulpit,” said President Jason Allen. “But perhaps this can be remedied in part by Dr. Barrett’s new co-authored book Proclaiming the Triune God. There is much here to encourage pastors in how they can more faithfully proclaim the triune God.”
Kurtz, Parkison, and Lanier completed their doctoral studies at Midwestern Seminary under Barrett’s supervision, graduating in 2021 and 2022. Each graduate holds a Ph.D. with an emphasis in systematic theology.
Reflecting on the experience of writing the book with scholars who had been his students and co-pastors, Barrett said, “When I came to Midwestern Seminary eight years ago, I didn’t know anybody. I walked into the classroom and just started teaching classical trinitarianism. Afterward I met Sam, Ronni, and Joseph, and I knew immediately I had in them common allies for the renewal of orthodoxy today. And they have been ever since.”
Since completing their degrees, the Midwestern Seminary graduates have gone on to serve in positions of scholarship and pastoral ministry across the globe. Kurtz serves as assistant professor of theology at Cedarville University and has published other works including Fruitful Theology: How the Life of the Mind Leads to the Life of the Soul. Lanier serves as pastor for discipleship and administration at Fairview Baptist Church in Apex, North Carolina. Parkison serves as associate professor of theology at Gulf Theological Seminary in the United Arab Emirates, and he recently released To Gaze Upon God: The Beatific Vision in Doctrine, Tradition, and Practice.
Proclaiming the Triune God reflects the four scholars’ shared endeavor to produce theological scholarship that serves the local church.
Noting the book’s origin as a sermon series, Barrett shared that he and his co-pastors felt the responsibility of shepherding their church members in the biblical doctrine of the Trinity represented in the Nicene Creed.
He said, “The people embraced it! To this day it is proof, in my mind, that people in the Church don’t want to settle for doctrinal minimalism. They want to stand in that deep stream of orthodoxy.”
Comprising six chapters, the book covers the importance of trinitarian doctrine for Christian faith; the revelation of the Trinity; the oneness of God in the Trinity; the relations of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and the believer’s communion with the triune God.
Noting the impact on Christians’ lives when they grow in their knowledge of whom God has revealed Himself to be, Barrett encouraged pastors to teach and preach the doctrine of the Trinity in their churches. “Preaching the Trinity can feel overwhelming. I know that from experience,” he said. “But don’t overthink it. Doctrines like the eternal generation of the Son or the simplicity of God are organic to the Scriptures. Without them, we can’t make sense of the gospel itself.”
Barrett shared his hopes that the book would help pastors preach the Trinity faithfully. He added, “Everything depends on your people knowing the triune God.”
Theologians and pastors around the country have endorsed Proclaiming the Triune God for its doctrinal fidelity, beauty, and accessibility.
Mark Dever, pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., said, “In Proclaiming the Triune God, orthodox trinitarian theology shows itself to be something that can be preached by local pastors and understood by church members.”
Michael Reeves, president and professor of theology at Union School of Theology, said, “Here is theology that leads to doxology—to the most deeply transformative delight in the unfathomable gloriousness of the triune God.”
Proclaiming the Triune God is now available for purchase from B&H Academic and where Christian books are sold.
To learn more about doctoral studies at Midwestern Seminary, visit mbts.edu/phd.
